as in hesitation
a state or an instance of temporary inaction because of uncertainty about the right course of action
fortunately, during the crisis there was no shilly-shallying on the part of the president
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in ambivalent
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in hesitating
to show uncertainty about the right course of action
I didn't shilly-shally but instead raced to the hospital as soon as I heard the news
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in delaying
to move or act slowly
with dinner guests due in two hours, there was no time to shilly-shally in front of the TV set
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shilly-shallying
Noun
-
That’s where the Oracle of Omaha’s other main hesitation with real estate factors in: Buying property is often a hassle.—
Ryan Ermey,
CNBC,
21 May 2025 -
Lionel says yes, and before more than a few moments go by the two have tumbled into bed, without fear or hesitation.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
21 May 2025
Adjective
-
Perhaps, the uneasily ambivalent final moments of this movie lead us to wonder, because the pastor couldn’t think of anywhere else to go.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
20 Mar. 2025
-
Adichie’s protagonists are independent and deeply ambivalent, not so much aloof as detached, both from their love interests and from their own desires and aspirations.—
Tyler Austin Harper,
The Atlantic,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The gaming industry has been hit hard in recent years with layoffs, delayed funding and investor hesitancy.—
Chris Hewish,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
-
That’s due to several factors, such as challenges related to cost and access and hesitancy among some cardiologists and primary care physicians.—
Annika Kim Constantino,Ashley Capoot,
CNBC,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Magical door wash to welcome in the new To create your magic door wash, start with a glass mason jar and cleanse the space above it by ringing a bell in a clockwise motion to clear any lingering energy.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
22 Mar. 2025
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Don't jump to conclusions about a compromise state budget plan with cuts, taxes and a lingering bit of uncertainty.—
Baltimore Sun Editorial Board,
Baltimore Sun,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Live recordings, put on pause during the pandemic, haven’t yet restarted.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2025
-
An extended pause in scheduling student visas could lead to delays that may disrupt college, boarding-school or exchange students’ plans to enroll in summer and fall terms.—
Annie Ma,
Chicago Tribune,
28 May 2025
Adjective
-
The bill also calls for the State Department of Education to conduct random surprise visits at private special education institutions.—
Emilia Otte,
Hartford Courant,
30 May 2025
-
Watch any random movie in the Cannes selection and you’re bound to see a parade of opening credits signaling production resources from across Europe, including many national film funds.—
Eric Kohn,
HollywoodReporter,
30 May 2025
Verb
-
On Wednesday, March 19, the couple filmed an Instagram Reel poking fun at their recent red carpet interview with Extra at the grand re-opening of Planet Hollywood in NYC on Tuesday, March 11.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
20 Mar. 2025
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Roots Growing Out Drainage Holes Roots poking out of the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot is a sure sign your plant needs a bigger pot.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
But that is where the similarities end, and where the hesitance to believe the Knicks had a chance at the reigning champs seeps in deep.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
6 May 2025
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This hesitance only reinforces the false narrative that race is a divisive topic rather than an integral part of understanding American society.—
Anne Tapp Jaksa,
Baltimore Sun,
14 Apr. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Shilly-shallying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shilly-shallying. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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